“Psst, want to see a secret world?” I ask. This is the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge. It’s a world where rice fields once thrived. Now they serve as a haven for migratory birds and diverse wildlife.
Savannah National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1927. It started as a sanctuary for birds. Today it protects over 30,000 acres. The refuge spans Georgia and South Carolina. The Savannah River divides it.
Imagine hand-built rice levees. These form the base of today’s impoundment dikes. Enslaved Africans and Irish immigrants built these fields. They controlled the water flow from the Savannah River. After the Civil War, rice farming declined. The Savannah National Wildlife Refuge repurposed these fields.
In 1927, it was first named Savannah River Bird Refuge. Later, it was renamed Savannah National Wildlife Refuge in 1940.
Look around. You might spot a mallard or a pintail. Maybe even a wood duck. This area is on the Atlantic Flyway. Transient songbirds also visit here.
Keep an eye out for alligators. American alligators are one of the protected species here. You might also see a bald eagle soaring above. The Savannah National Wildlife Refuge provides nesting areas for wood ducks. Great horned owls and osprey also nest here.
The Laurel Hill Wildlife Drive is a great way to see the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge. It is a 4.5-mile loop. It meanders through freshwater pools and hardwood hammocks. These dikes and pools are remnants of old rice plantations.
Fishing is allowed in the freshwater pools. It is permitted from March 1 to November 30. Hunting is also allowed in designated areas. This happens from October through April.
Volunteers play a vital role here. They help with many tasks. This includes staffing the visitor center.
The Savannah National Wildlife Refuge is more than just a refuge. It is a living museum. It showcases the history and ecology of the Lowcountry. The Savannah National Wildlife Refuge protects a unique network. These are bottomland hardwood forests and wetlands. It is a place for wildlife and people to connect with nature.